“Isn’t Music Just Math with More Soul?” — Lessons from an 8-Year-Old Polymath
Arts Integration | Brain Capital | Creativity | Leadership | My Thoughts | Posted on March 20, 2025 at 5:11 pm by geneinletford
“Why is music separate from math time?” a student once asked with a furrowed brow. “Aren’t they all the same? Isn’t music, math—and math, music?” Mic drop. At just eight years old, she cracked the code on what many educational systems are just now realizing: the future of learning is integration. She wrapped it all [...]
Why Translating Ideas Is the New Workplace Superpower
Arts Integration | Brain Capital | Creativity | Entrepreneurship | Leadership | My Thoughts | Posted on November 20, 2024 at 4:46 pm by geneinletford
In today’s increasingly global and diverse world, one thing is clear: if you can take an idea and remix it like a DJ across different communication styles—you're winning. This is what NeuroSomatic Creativity® trains you to do. Translating a concept from one form (say, a chart) into another (like a dramatic interpretive dance… okay, maybe [...]
Yes! The Arts Are for YOU Too (Even If You Can’t Draw a Stick Figure)
Arts Integration | Brain Capital | Creativity | Educational Travel | Lyrics 'N Leadership | Personal Development | Posted on October 20, 2024 at 4:19 pm by geneinletford
Let’s get this out of the way: not being able to paint like Picasso or play piano like Chopin does not mean you aren’t creative. Too many people believe that unless they’re holding a paintbrush or pirouetting across a stage, creativity just isn’t their thing. This, friends, is a tragic (and frankly, very costly) misconception—and [...]
Imagination: Your Brain’s Superpower for Creativity, Health, and Joy
Arts Integration | Brain Capital | Leadership | My Thoughts | Posted on September 20, 2024 at 3:23 pm by geneinletford
Your imagination isn’t just for kids—it’s one of the most powerful tools your brain has. Like a rocket thruster, it propels creativity, shapes identity, and strengthens both brain skills and mental well-being. Children use imagination to test limits and explore who they are becoming, but adults benefit just as much. Neuroscience tells us that your [...]I’m Here – The Arts & International Women’s Day
Arts Integration | Mentorship | My Thoughts | Personal Development | Posted on March 8, 2018 at 10:46 am by geneinletford
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I want to share this experience of how the arts can change your perspective on the way you see yourself and your position in life. As women, we often struggle with seeing ourselves as worthy, as beautiful, as competent and strong. Especially when we are in situations where we […]
Arts Integration Session at CCSA
Arts Integration | Creativity | Posted on January 21, 2017 at 6:05 pm by geneinletford
The CA Charter School Association conference concluded this week and it was an informative experience. I led the session on arts integration and wanted to leave some resources here for those who were unable to attend or wanted to watch the videos I played in the session! I started the session with the powerful connection of [...]
Taking A Risk: Charlotte’s Dance
Arts Integration | Creativity | Posted on May 25, 2015 at 9:47 am by geneinletford
One of my educational mentors, Scott Bedley, once told me, “Genein, you can’t expect your students to do something you’re not willing to do yourself.” That struck a cord with me and I now make sure that I’m doing what I expect them to do, if not more. ‘Be life long learners – Read […]
Creativity: To Be or Not To Be (in PD)
Arts Integration | Blog | Creativity | Educational Travel | Posted on March 5, 2015 at 3:26 pm by geneinletford
Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker once said, “If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn.” Award-winning educator, Cassie Cox, cleverly connected this statement to the importance of educators “experiencing for ourselves what we hope to inspire.” As Cassie headed to New York to study Duke Ellignton’s contribution to pop culture, other educators […]
Arts Integration Discussionwith the Bedley Bros.
Arts Integration | Creativity | Posted on September 25, 2013 at 10:36 am by geneinletford
I was excited to be featured on the Bedley Bros (@bedleybros) talk show to share some ideas on arts integration. From book tracks to classifying the instruments of the orchestra, there are many fun lesson activities in this video that can be implemented right away for your students. Enjoy!
